Cottrell Gilles, Djènontin Armel, Soares Christophe, Bouraima Aziz, Fiogbé Marc, Egbinola Seun, Affoukou Cyriaque, Ogouyèmi Aurore Hounto
Université Paris Cité, IRD, MERIT, Paris, F-75006, France.
Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), 06 BP 2604, Cotonou, Bénin.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 23;25(1):2529. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22212-6.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) receive a free long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) during their first antenatal care (ANC) visit to prevent malaria. This study, conducted in Benin, evaluates the distribution and utilization rates of LLINs provided at the first ANC visit among pregnant women.
Data were collected from 14 public and private health centers located in urban and rural areas across Southern, Central, and Northern Benin. Pregnant women were enrolled in the study during their initial ANC visit and were subsequently visited at home twice, where a questionnaire was administered. The study assessed the distribution and use of LLINs during the first ANC visit. After the second home visit, the LLIN found on the pregnant women's sleeping unit was collected to evaluate its physical integrity and bio-efficacy. Chi-square tests were used to compare each indicator across three variables: region, urban/rural setting, and public/private status of health centers.
A total of 718 pregnant women were included in the study. LLIN ownership and usage before the first ANC visit were 94% [89-97%] and 93% [85-97%], respectively. During the first ANC visit, 63% [40-80%] of the pregnant women received an LLIN, but only 11% [7-22%] installed it on their sleeping area. During the pregnancy period, 72% [64-78%] of the LLINs in use were found to be either physically damaged or not bio-effective.
The distribution of LLINs to pregnant women during their first ANC visit was inadequate, with only a small fraction of recipients actively using the net. This shortfall leads to suboptimal protection for this vulnerable population during pregnancy.
世界卫生组织（WHO）建议撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA）的孕妇在首次产前检查（ANC）时领取免费长效驱虫蚊帐（LLIN）以预防疟疾。本研究在贝宁进行，评估了首次ANC就诊时提供给孕妇的LLIN的发放和使用率。
数据收集自贝宁南部、中部和北部城乡地区的14家公立和私立卫生中心。孕妇在首次ANC就诊时纳入研究，随后进行两次家访，期间进行问卷调查。该研究评估了首次ANC就诊时LLIN的发放和使用情况。第二次家访后，收集孕妇睡眠区域的LLIN，以评估其物理完整性和生物有效性。采用卡方检验比较三个变量（地区、城乡环境、卫生中心的公立/私立性质）的各项指标。
共有718名孕妇纳入研究。首次ANC就诊前LLIN的拥有率和使用率分别为94%[89 - 97%]和93%[85 - 97%]。在首次ANC就诊时，63%[40 - 80%]的孕妇领取了LLIN，但只有11%[7 - 22%]将其安装在睡眠区域。在孕期，使用中的LLIN有72%[64 - 78%]被发现存在物理损坏或生物有效性不足的情况。
在孕妇首次ANC就诊时发放LLIN的情况并不理想，只有一小部分领取者积极使用蚊帐。这一不足导致该脆弱人群在孕期得到的保护未达最佳水平。
